Budget 2012: top tax rates across the world since 1980, visualised

Will George Osborne slash Britain's top rate from 50 to 40% in the budget? Labour introduced the 50p rate just two years ago, but how have top rates changed across the OECD in the last three decades?

The UK's top rate has generally fallen around the average for OECD nations, although it is now equal second highest. The reduction would see British rates fall below the likes of Italy, Portugal and neighbours Ireland.

We've mapped top tax rates over time using data from the OECD's tax database - you can download it below.

The map below shows the data in 1981 - click on year to see how it changes.• Download the data